Got Dropped into a Ghost Story, Still Gotta Work-Chapter 133

I’m part of the Disaster Management Bureau’s rescue team.

I could barely manage to take care of myself, and now I was supposed to enter a ghost story to save civilians?

“Is this a dream?”

No, it was reality.

And I had to dive into a ghost story to rescue people right now.

7:30 PM.

It had been exactly 1 hour and 30 minutes since I passed the aptitude test and was officially employed.

Yet here I was, already responding to an emergency call from a Bronze Agent, receiving my standard-issue gear from headquarters.

Even the Disaster Management Bureau’s public-use bicycle had been assigned to me, and I was currently riding it toward the site of the ghost story.

‘...I’ve really lost everything.’

The chill of the night air while cycling through the dark streets made me shudder and think about a lot of things.

“Citizens caught in supernatural disasters can call for rescue using the number provided in the Bureau’s guidance notices.”

Sure.

‘And that number sometimes works even inside ghost stories, as if by some supernatural force.’

Hearing the Bureau’s briefing on supernatural disaster rescues was enough to make my head spin.

I pedaled mechanically, following the agent ahead of me.

“When entering a supernatural disaster zone, bicycles are safer than cars.”

‘Yes. That’s because most vehicles either stop working or trigger the worst kinds of catastrophes inside ghost stories….’

It was fun when I read about it, but doing it myself was cold and exhausting.

By the way, the equipment I received was much more varied than what I got as a temporary agent.

Glass hand grenades, an iron badge, a notebook, and… fishing line.

“Never lose the fishing line. It’s a vital tool if you need to escape solo from this supernatural disaster.”

“…Understood.”

I felt a pang of guilt, recalling my time as a temporary agent, though I couldn’t deny a slight thrill of anticipation.

But the most pressing issue was this: Which ghost story am I walking into?

“The supernatural disaster you’ll be entering to rescue civilians is….”

What is it?

The Bronze Agent glanced at my face, paused briefly, and continued in a slightly gentler tone.

“…Don’t worry too much. The citizens who made the report won’t die while we’re explaining.”

“…Okay.”

That’s not the kind of reassurance I was hoping for.

“Listen to the briefing carefully first.”

“Yes, I got it.”

The Bronze Agent, now riding through a desolate neighborhood on the bike path, asked me, “Kim Soleum, do you remember the Lucky Mart chain?”

“…….”

“It withdrew from Korea 11 years ago, but it’s still famous in English-speaking countries… Agent?”

“Yes, I’ve heard of it.”

‘Oh, no.’

It wasn’t just something I’d heard of.

I knew it too well, and that was the problem.

Lucky Mart, a massive supermarket chain…

…which served as the basis for a ghost story.

Back in the early days of the Bureau’s Darkness Exploration Records, this was the seventh ghost story ever documented.

People who urgently searched for a supermarket late at night would stumble upon a Lucky Mart location by chance.

And then, they would disappear.

======================

Darkness Exploration Records / Ghost Story

[Lucky Mart]

A ghost story featured in the Darkness Exploration Records, registered with the Disaster Management Bureau as 1793PSYA.2001.Na31.A bizarre supernatural phenomenon mimicking a large supermarket, where victims are trapped and wander forever.Linked to at least 300 disappearances over decades, it is classified as a Breakdown-Level Disaster by the Bureau.No known method for resolution or containment exists. Preventing disappearances is also impossible.However, guidance notices placed within the ghost story have helped some civilians escape, forming the basis for the records.

======================

A large shopping mall.

An everyday, familiar space—yet also a place that, when stretched to massive, mechanical scales, could evoke overwhelming fear.

It was fascinating and chilling to read about.

‘It’s Breakdown-Level.’

In the Bureau’s classifications, that’s two levels above the ghost story with the serial killer cabin where I met the Bronze Agent.

If I were to compare it to Daydream Corporation’s grading system, this would be close to a B-Level Incident.

Cold sweat dripped down my back as my brain raced.

‘…Did Bureau agents rescue civilians from Lucky Mart more often than not?’

Most of the time… they did.

Of course, there were plenty of cases where complications arose, as recorded in the Darkness Exploration Records. But those were special cases that tended to be detailed in the records, so maybe I shouldn’t—damn it.

‘I wish I could check myself.’

But I couldn’t, because my Memorial Griptok still hadn’t been repaired.

‘The goblin agent said it would be fixed in a month.’

Was it because it came from a merchandise box? Or because the month I spent in a ghost story didn’t count as part of the timeline?

‘Whatever it is, I need a backup plan.’

At least I remembered the Lucky Mart ghost story down to its details. In that sense, encountering a famous ghost story was almost a relief… but I couldn’t keep relying on luck forever.

The Bronze Agent’s briefing continued as I pedaled through the cold night.

“This disaster can only be accessed after sunset. The citizens who reported it were lucky with their timing.”

“…Can you describe the citizens who made the report?”

The Bronze Agent replied calmly, “Two high school freshmen.”

Great.

‘Why does it have to be minors….’

With a sinking feeling, I absorbed the description of the reporters and their situation.

The agent glanced at me sympathetically and added, “…Don’t worry too much. Even high schoolers can survive for half a day in there.”

“…Understood.”

Now I felt a twinge of guilt.

“However, two agents who entered earlier are currently listed as temporarily missing.”

“…….”

“They weren’t rescue agents. They were conducting a routine search for containment methods.”

That’s just fantastic news, Agent.

“Proceed with caution and avoid impulsive actions at all costs.”

“Yes, sir.”

I swallowed the urge to ask why they had to bring a rookie into this.

The cheerful ring of the bicycle bell sounded bitter as I kept pedaling.

Soon, the Bronze Agent slowed down and let me take the lead.

“…Agent?”

“We need to ‘wander’ for at least 20 minutes. The building’s location will only reveal itself to someone unfamiliar with it, so you go ahead.”

I remembered the rule:

Lucky Mart Entry Condition: Wander for at least 20 minutes within 3 km of a former Lucky Mart location, actively searching for the store.

Shivering, I cycled through the unfamiliar neighborhood, keeping my goal firmly in mind and scanning my surroundings.

After what felt like forever, I stopped.

“…Agent, I think I found it.”

In the dim glow of the streetlights stood a large, three-story building.

Its sign glowed green, displaying the words of a supermarket.

Ssaengsaeng Mart.

It wasn’t a chain store, just a local independent mart you’d find in any neighborhood.

“…….”

No, that wasn’t it.

The moment I blinked again...

LUCKYMART

The logo of the familiar chain store appeared on the building.

The electronic sign, looking as if it hadn’t been maintained in years, was covered in dust, with some letters completely unlit.

“…….”

If I focused a bit more on those unlit sections...

Blink.

The lights flickered on.

LOOKY MART

What I had casually read before now showed different words.

“Don’t overthink it.”

“…!”

He was right.

LUCKYMART

I was seeing Lucky Mart.

‘At least I found the mart I was looking for.’

I parked the bicycle nearby and approached the still-lit and seemingly open mart building.

Just naturally, as if it were nothing, I’d walk into this “Lucky Mart.”

After all, Lucky Mart was just one of the many large chain stores scattered across the country. As long as I didn’t consciously think about it, there was no reason to feel nervous.

When viewed after sunset, the sight of Lucky Mart creates the illusion that the chain hasn’t yet withdrawn from the country, leading unsuspecting individuals to enter.

The automatic doors slid open smoothly, revealing a brightly lit interior.

It was a typical mart.

A bit outdated and with low prices, but so ordinary it would be easy to walk past without much thought.

The first floor housed essential goods.

Seasonal promotional displays were piled high with children’s toys.

An outdated pop song played faintly in the background.

“Is that the idol group you like?”

“No, Mom! They’re the rookies from MS Entertainment….”

Shoppers passed by, chatting.

…A family holding old smartphones, dressed in fashion that had been trendy over a decade ago.

Shoppers from the past.

Upon entering, individuals may see ordinary shoppers browsing the aisles. These are revealed to be actual customers from the time when Lucky Mart was still operational.

“…….”

“Hahaha!”

The shoppers moved past me.

Not only was their clothing outdated, but considering the freezing winter outside, it was absurdly thin.

It felt as though time moved differently inside this mart, with only a single door separating it from the outside world.

“These are not individuals caught in the disaster. Ignore them.”

“…….”

I slowly nodded.

‘The rescue reports said the victims were suspected to be in a basement level.’

Reporter 1: “P-please help us. We went into the mart, but something’s wrong…! No one can see us, and, well, it looks like an old mart.”

Reporter 1: “What’s around us? Oh, um… we’re near the snack aisle. Yeah, I-I’m thirsty….”

“We’re moving to the basement.”

I nodded and followed the agent, walking carefully.

The space, seemingly a perfect recreation of the old Lucky Mart, still looked normal for now.

In fact, it might have evoked a sense of nostalgia or fascination, as if stepping back into the past.

If I didn’t know this was a ghost story, that is.

“…….”

A lump formed in my throat from the tension.

Oh, God.

Every horrifying scenario from the Darkness Exploration Records flashed through my mind.

Now that I thought about it, “Lucky Mart” was particularly infamous in the records for its unexpected complications….

‘Stay calm.’

The Bronze Agent wouldn’t throw a rookie into a hardcore rescue mission without a plan.

Swallowing my nerves, I descended on the escalator.

As I went down, I noticed something between the two escalators, like a slip of paper mimicking a receipt.

Wait.

‘Could that be…?’

I quickly reached out and grabbed the paper, which was styled like a receipt.

“…! You’ve found it already. That’s one of the Bureau’s guidance notices.”

Of course.

These were escape assistance notices discreetly placed throughout the mart to help innocent civilians caught in this ghost story.

‘The reporters probably saw this too.’

I unfolded the receipt-like guidance notice and began reading its contents.

Take a deep breath.

You are currently caught in a supernatural disaster.

However, there is no need to despair.

There have been at least dozens of successful escape cases from this disaster, and the government has recorded the escape method here for your use.

Please check the instructions on the back.

...Hmm, just reading this could give you anxiety. It’s the epitome of a typical ghost story manual.

‘They should fix the red font and layout before telling people to take a deep breath.’

Still, the content was exactly as I remembered.

Turning to the back, I found the same kind of instructions as expected.

‘I’m not sure which version this is.’

Among the escape methods listed in the manual, some no longer work as the number of exploration cycles increases.

That’s because the items, environment, and structure of the disaster change over time.

‘Of course, some parts never change.’

Like this one:

The ghosts at every exit will not move until the store’s operating hours end. You are safe.

“…….”

Sure.

At the entrance where I came in, there should now be one of those eerie “ghosts” standing still….

Sneaking past it when it can’t see you is the simplest escape method.

If the store’s operating hours have not ended since you entered, you still have a chance. Block the ghost’s line of sight, and you can leave.

But not everyone is lucky.

Reporter 1: “H-heuk, yes. We saw the escape method on the manual, but we can’t do it…. We don’t have anything to cover the ghost…. We couldn’t steal any items, and we can’t reach it…!”

‘This is why agents are necessary.’

More precisely, someone who has useful items and knows how to use them in situations like this.

So our job was to confirm the reporters’ identities and get out of here before the store’s operating hours ended.

‘If the store closes, this will turn into a real-life horror escape game.’

Fortunately, near the escalator on the basement floor, by the snack aisle, we quickly found two people wearing school uniforms.

“Huuuwaaaaa…”

Two high school students were huddled in a corner, crying uncontrollably.

They were the reporters.

“Would you like to speak to them directly?”

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“…Pardon?”

“Calmly. Consider this practice.”

“Uh, y-yes….”

The Bronze Agent looked at me with an oddly warm expression.

For some reason, I broke out in a cold sweat.

I cautiously approached the two teenagers, crouching down to meet their gaze.

“Hello. Are you the ones who reported the incident?”

“……!!”

“Ah, a-ahhhhh!”

Thud.

The two high schoolers fell on their backsides.

“Y-you’re a person?! You can see us?!”

“Yes, I can see you clearly.”

I smiled as gently as I could.

“We’ve come in response to your report. You’ve done well to hold on until now.”

“Huuuwaaaaa…”

The kids were crying like faucets had been turned on.

It may have only been about three hours since the sun had set, but they looked completely worn out from the ordeal.

“W-what do we do about the ghost at the exit? Can we really get out?”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

I gestured to the Bronze Agent behind me, passing the responsibility over to him entirely.

“This person is a highly skilled agent. You’ll be able to get out safely.”

“Waaah…”

The high schoolers began to shuffle closer to the Bronze Agent, clearly comparing my scruffy appearance with his professional demeanor.

‘Survival instincts kicking in, huh.’

“Are we leaving right now?”

“Yes.”

One of them clung tightly to the Bronze Agent, like holding onto a lifeline.

Good. That’s the way to do it!

I sighed in relief and checked the electronic watch on my wrist.

‘If we head toward the exit now….’

[20:24]

8:24 PM.

As far as I knew, the “Lucky Mart” ghost story’s timeline aligned with the real world down to the second.

‘Closing time is 11 o’clock.’

There was still plenty of time left. With the right tools, we could easily make our way out.

The Bronze Agent seemed to be explaining the same thing.

“Closing time is 11 PM, so we have ample time. Let’s proceed calmly—”

Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na~

“…….”

I instinctively looked up.

The cheerful Lucky Mart theme song was playing, almost like a notification sound.

-Hello, valued customer. Thank you for visiting Lucky Mart today.

-As announced, our store will close at 8:30 PM today in celebration of Labor Day, May 1st.

“……!”

-Customers still inside the store, please follow the staff’s guidance to exit the premises.

Clunk.

The lights in the store began to turn off one by one from the far end, leaving only minimal lighting for the closing process.

The escalators came to a halt.

-Once again, please follow the staff’s guidance to exit the premises.

“Why…!”

I clamped a hand over the high schooler’s mouth and crouched down.

Avoid being seen by the staff cleaning up after closing. They will guide you outside.

Outside is not reality.

Na-na-na-na, na-na-na-na-na-na, na-na-na~

“…….”

We’re screwed.